Hello All, New to the sport of sailing and this forum. I did a bit in Anguilla on my honeymoon where I was officially bitten by the bug. I plan on buying a Hobie myself, looking at maybe an F18, something i can learn on using just the main and grow into instead of buying multiple boats. Anyone in the TN/ KY area needing a crew member for the weekends? Trying to get some hands on before actually purchasing a boat. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Zach, you could try Lighthouse Landing, major marina in Grand Rivers, KY. Tons of sailboats there. Put a notice on their bulletin board that you're looking for crew opportunities on boats big and small. You might get a number of bites.

Have fun! Welcome to the sailing scene. You'll love it! When you go to buy, get a Hobie. We've had a bunch of sailboats (large and small) and our AIs are the most fun and easy of all! And our Outback is a total fish snatcher!

Sailhoky, Thanks for the warm welcome and reply, I'll deff. have to check Lighthouse Landing. Down in the Caribbean, I sailed a few days on a Hobie Wave and instantly got hooked. I think after a few times out i might get bored with the Wave, so I am looking for something I can learn on and grow into...perhaps the F18? It deff. has huge potentials for power and as I will be moving to Hawaii at the end of the year, I want something I can possibly race. Any recommendations as to whether that can be a good starter or not? Also, is it possible for a novice like myself to sail the F18 solo, or would it be to much of a handful for one individual? I'd only be using the main to start off with but as my confidence builds I'd start using the jib and maybe learning to use the traps.

Zach, been too long since I was on cats to advise you. I'm sure others on the forum will jump in with great wisdom. The folks on the forum are great! I recall sailing a fast cat in the Caribbean off of St. John's, BVI? Waaaaay fun if I can still recall it many years later. And, of course, really beautiful.

Maybe we'll see you out on KY Lake, though I suspect we'll pass each other in a blur we'll both be going so fast! Have fun!

Optikid, What would you recommend starting out with as i am fairly new? The main reason i suppose people were telling me to look at the F18 was due to weight. I am 210 and if i have another full sized adult, weight could become an issue from what i understand. Any recommendations?

Yes. The Hobie 18 is a pretty old design (well-loved, but older and discontinued). Formula 18 is a racing class, which had the Tiger and now the Wild Cat. Light, high-performance, ragged-edge kinds of boats. Not beginner boats!

Optikid, What would you recommend starting out with as i am fairly new? The main reason i suppose people were telling me to look at the F18 was due to weight. I am 210 and if i have another full sized adult, weight could become an issue from what i understand. Any recommendations?

That tramp looks pretty busy hahaha. Maybe a little to much for my first boat. What are some common things to look for when buying an H18? any problem spots these boats are notorious for? If so, what are the costs of replacing these parts? I know thats a pretty open and vague question, but any help would be greatly appreciated. As for the wind, i think usually I am looking from 5-12 knots on lake Kentucky/ Lake Bently on the TN/KY border. I soon plan on moving out to Oahu, HI as I have recently come down on orders so I am sure the winds will blow a lot more harder out there. I am assuming the H18 will hold up to some small swells and salt water?....

I'm in Memphis TN, Sail in the area almost every weekend. H16. I'd be more than willing to make the drive or have a place down here to stay for you to try crew or skippering my H16. Mega fun.... assuming winds about 10 MPH. 15 is best, under that.... there's a beer cooler on the special frame in front of mast :0) We have a great group down here at Delta Sailing Assoc. Glad to see ya,

My GF and I combined are about 400#, with wind above 10-15 MPH we haul butt and never have to worry about capsize or pitchpole! there's a rooster tail and serious wake behind the Hobie - FEELS amazing to go that fast! Perma Grin